Real Stories from the Sierra
Welcome to Trail Tested—your go-to destination for real-world hiking and backpacking experiences across the Sierra Nevada. This page brings together all our firsthand adventure stories, written after boots hit the dirt and gear is put to the test. From family day hikes and waterfall treks to multi-day backcountry loops, each post offers practical tips, scenic highlights, and honest gear insights from the trail. Whether you’re planning your next trip or just love reliving the adventure, this is where the Sierra Rec community shares what it truly feels like out there.
Trail Tested Stories
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Marmot AirFleece Review: The Layer I Didn’t Know I Needed in the PNW
For years in the Sierra Nevada, a fleece this warm was a specialized piece of gear for me. I might have carried one while snowshoeing, camping in colder conditions or heading into the mountains when the forecast clearly called for another layer. It was not something I automatically placed in my pack for every spring…
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Marmot Trailway Pants Review: From PNW Mud to the Yosemite Backcountry
My first real outing in the Marmot Trailway hiking pants began on a rainy spring morning near Bellingham, Washington. We headed to Blanchard State Forest for a seven-mile loop connecting Lily and Lizard lakes. It is a classic Pacific Northwest hike: a casual forest climb, two hidden lakes and trails that remain in good condition…
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Marmot Wraptor 30 Review: Zipper-Free Comfort Put to the Test
A Trail Tested Gear Review by Sierra Rec Staff The Marmot Wraptor 30 promises to eliminate one of the most irritating parts of sleeping in a traditional mummy bag: the zipper. Instead of sealing you inside with a long side zipper, the Wraptor uses overlapping flaps, snaps and a low-profile magnetic closure to create a…
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Matador 45L Global Travel Pack Review: Crisscrossing the West
By Charlie Pankey The Best Travel Backpack I’ve Ever Owned I’m 56 years old, and for most of my life my travel strategy could best be described as… a duffel bag. Throw everything inside, zip it shut, and hope I remembered socks. If you asked my wife to describe my packing style, she’d probably refer…
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Sherwin’s Trail Network: Mammoth’s New High Desert Playground Opens
Mammoth Lakes, CA — July 2025 | This weekend, the Mammoth Lakes community marks a milestone long in the making: the official opening of the Sherwin Trails Recreation Area, a vision nurtured since 2009 and now brought to life with a new paved trailhead, restrooms, and the first of many miles of planned trails at…
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Highland Lakes Dispersed Camping & Gardner Meadow Loop Hike
Words & Photos by Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine Sponsored by Mountain House, EXPED, and Nestout Summer is finally here, and with it comes our favorite way to explore the Sierra: boondocking adventures that get us closer to trailheads, earlier on the trail, and deeper into the wild. This past weekend, we kicked off…
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Trail-Tested: Lake Almanor Recreation Trail
Ride, Paddle, and Savor the West Shore By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine If you’re searching for a place to slow down, breathe in the high mountain air, and reconnect with the simple joys of outdoor travel, Lake Almanor’s western shore is waiting. Anchored by one of the most scenic and accessible trails in…
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Hiking to Leavitt Lake: A Hidden Sierra Adventure off Sonora Pass
By Charlie Pankey, Sierra Rec Magazine Escape the crowds and experience one of the Eastern Sierra’s most rewarding early-season alpine hikes. Hiding just off Highway 108, Leavitt Lake is a rugged, high-elevation gem near the summit of Sonora Pass that offers solitude, snowmelt waterfalls, and glacier-fed beauty just as the Sierra awakens in late spring.…
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Chasing Waterfalls on Deer Creek: A Trail Experience Through Canyon Gorges, Fish Ladders, and Spring Runoff Magic
By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine There’s something ancient about the sound of a fast-moving creek echoing through a canyon. It’s a sound that draws you in—pulls you toward mystery, motion, and a little bit of magic. On a warm spring morning just west of Chester, California, I found myself exploring that sound along…
Field Tested Gear
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Marmot AirFleece Review: The Layer I Didn’t Know I Needed in the PNW
For years in the Sierra Nevada, a fleece this warm was a specialized piece of gear for me. I might have carried one while snowshoeing, camping in colder conditions or heading into the mountains when the forecast clearly called for another layer. It was not something I automatically placed in my pack for every spring…
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Marmot Wraptor 30 Review: Zipper-Free Comfort Put to the Test
A Trail Tested Gear Review by Sierra Rec Staff The Marmot Wraptor 30 promises to eliminate one of the most irritating parts of sleeping in a traditional mummy bag: the zipper. Instead of sealing you inside with a long side zipper, the Wraptor uses overlapping flaps, snaps and a low-profile magnetic closure to create a…
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Matador 45L Global Travel Pack Review: Crisscrossing the West
By Charlie Pankey The Best Travel Backpack I’ve Ever Owned I’m 56 years old, and for most of my life my travel strategy could best be described as… a duffel bag. Throw everything inside, zip it shut, and hope I remembered socks. If you asked my wife to describe my packing style, she’d probably refer…
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Field Tested: La Sportiva Ultra Raptor III GTX Review
Why a Lifelong Sierra Hiker Ended Up Falling in Love with a Gore-Tex Trail Shoe Quick Take Best For: Day hiking, technical trails, Pacific Northwest hiking, Sierra Nevada granite, creek crossings and hikers who value confidence over speed. Trail Tested: Four months of real-world hiking in Western Washington, including muddy trails, wet roots, creek crossings,…
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Trail-Tested Review: Crazy Creek Pack Table
A compact camp companion that adds a clean, stable surface wherever you set up Not every piece of gear changes how you travel, but some quietly make camp life easier. The Crazy Creek Pack Table falls squarely into that category — a small but surprisingly useful addition that quickly earned a regular spot in our…
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When the Wind Wins: A Father-Son Camping Trip That Didn’t Go as Planned
Part of what I love about Sierra Rec is that it gives me an excuse to always be testing something outdoors. Whether it’s backpacking gear deep in the Sierra, trying a new piece of equipment at a local campground, or experimenting with ways to make family camping easier, every trip becomes a bit of a…
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Trail-Tested Review: Oboz Katabatic RT Low GTX in the North Cascades
A Sierra Mindset Meets PNW Conditions I’ll be honest—this is my first time wearing anything from Oboz. And it didn’t happen in the Sierra. It happened here in the Pacific Northwest, where “trail conditions” mean something completely different. Back in the Sierra Nevada, waterproof shoes were a seasonal tool—something you’d think about for early summer…
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Trail Tested Gear: Gregory Arrio 22 Plus Size Daypack
A Comfortable, Thoughtful Fit for Bigger Frames on Real Trail Days For the past five months, I’ve been putting the Gregory Arrio 22 Plus Size daypack through the kind of use most daypacks see in real life — fall hikes, moving days, travel, and quick trail escapes when a few extra layers and snacks make…
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FORM Moldable Insoles Review: Support That Translates From Trail to Everyday Miles
After six weeks and nearly 50 trail miles per pair, FORM’s Maximum Support and Reinforced Maximum Support insoles proved to be a meaningful upgrade for comfort, alignment, and long-day durability. Why I Tested These The reason I took this gear test on was simple and personal. I deal with recurring foot and hip pain when…
